The Joy o' Kanji Essays

畳

Find out how 畳 can represent both rigid tatami mats and foldable items. See how the mats relate to cobblestones, sardines, wives, and bald priests. Learn to discuss room size in terms of these mats, even if the room contains none. Read about formerly X-rated restaurant waiting rooms. And discover why two famous directors dissed documentaries, despite having made them.

壌

Japan is rich in agriculture now, but it once faced severe food shortages. Find out how people ingeniously transformed volcanic soil into arable farmland. Learn to talk about soil figuratively (as fertile ground for innovations) or literally, saying things like "Plants take in water from the soil" (Hint: There's a way to say "water" other than 水!) Also see what makes hydrangea flowers blue or red!

錠

This kanji takes us into the worlds of both locks and pills. See a combination lock with hanzi instead of numbers, find out what "shrimp lock" and "tail lock" represent, and learn how the Japanese historically secured their homes. Also discover how pills can wear "clothing," read about a candy made to resemble medicine, and see why one pharmacist's book is revolutionary.

醸

If you went by the primary meaning of 醸 (brewing) or by the 'saké' radical, you'd have no idea why 醸 pops up in sentences about a house with a strange layout, sad violin playing, a chair that feels luxurious, political controversies, and so on. The essay shows why! It also explains terms related to brewing alcohol, as well as types of ginjo saké (and how it has become less flabby!).

殖

Learn to talk about breeding everything from dogs to mushrooms and jewel beetles (which have figured into Japanese art!). Read about aquaculture, pearl cultivation, and the medaka (a fish). Find out how to say, “The reproduction instinct is deeply rooted in human nature,” “Low temperatures prevent bacteria from proliferating,” and “He devoted half of his life to developing Hokkaido.”

嘱

Learn how this tangle of a kanji entangles people in relationships. Also find out how to say this: “The world had its eyes on Japan,” “We place a great deal of hope for the future in these young men,” “People expect that he will become a teacher,” “I entrusted him with collecting data,” “Even after retiring, I continue to work part-time,” and “He was regarded as a very promising writer.”

辛

This essay will make your mouth and eyes water! You'll encounter words for "spicy," "salty," and "mustard," plus a regional dish with shiso leaves rolled around chili peppers. You'll learn to order dry saké or vodka diluted with tomato juice. This essay even shows how to make kanji sandwiches with the 辛 radical. Good times! Oh, and it explores bitterness about life's hardships!

娠

Learn to say, "I'm pregnant," and find out how a man might question his connection to the matter. Learn to talk about fertility, pregnancy tests, and morning sickness. See how one manga artist managed to be pregnant for 17 months! Read about ceremonies in which doctors draw kanji (e.g., 犬: dog) on women's sashes. And discover a shrine that displays imagery of female genitalia.

迅

See how 迅 connects to thunder, lions, and the military, as well as swift action. Learn to say, “He promptly coped with the situation,” “The office staff worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem,” “If a serious crisis arose, the government would have to act swiftly,” and “The invading army, initially considered to have irresistible force, turned out to be unexpectedly weak.”

甚

With the planet coming apart at the seams, 甚 is a timely kanji, helping people discuss intense damage and major disasters. Moving beyond environmental doom, you can use 甚 to say "serious misunderstanding," "quite thoughtless," and "big monetary losses." On the brighter side, this kanji enables you to say "deeply impressed," "very deep meaning," and "He liked you a lot.”